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When in Rome #4
In Your Dreams
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 20:23:39
50 copies available
U.S. only
A homecoming to Rome, Kentucky, sparks a new romance—and lots of drama—between two old family friends, from the
New York Times
bestselling author of
When in Rome
,
Practice Makes Perfect
, and
Beg, Borrow, or Steal
.
Madison Walker thought chasing her culinary dreams in New York would make her happy, but with graduation looming and everything falling apart, she just wants to return home to Rome, Kentucky. A chance misdial to James Huxley—her older brother’s lifelong best friend—leads her to tearfully explain her situation. Surprised but sympathetic, James offers her a job as head chef at the new farm-to-table restaurant on his family farm. Though they’ve never been close, Madison eagerly accepts.
What Madison doesn’t know is that James, secretly in love with her for years, created the position just for her. As they work together to bring the restaurant to life, James and Madison realize that the heat between them extends far beyond the kitchen. An accidental kiss sparks undeniable romance, and James proposes they give a relationship a shot. Madison agrees, but insists on keeping it a secret to avoid town gossip—and especially to avoid her overprotective brother's wrath.
They soon begin a private, casual, and sexless relationship. But with the restaurant’s grand opening approaching, their romance intensifying, a simmering sibling feud, and staying under the radar proves challenging.
As tensions boil over, Madison and James must decide if their love is worth risking everything—or if their relationship is is headed for the chopping block.
Madison Walker thought chasing her culinary dreams in New York would make her happy, but with graduation looming and everything falling apart, she just wants to return home to Rome, Kentucky. A chance misdial to James Huxley—her older brother’s lifelong best friend—leads her to tearfully explain her situation. Surprised but sympathetic, James offers her a job as head chef at the new farm-to-table restaurant on his family farm. Though they’ve never been close, Madison eagerly accepts.
What Madison doesn’t know is that James, secretly in love with her for years, created the position just for her. As they work together to bring the restaurant to life, James and Madison realize that the heat between them extends far beyond the kitchen. An accidental kiss sparks undeniable romance, and James proposes they give a relationship a shot. Madison agrees, but insists on keeping it a secret to avoid town gossip—and especially to avoid her overprotective brother's wrath.
They soon begin a private, casual, and sexless relationship. But with the restaurant’s grand opening approaching, their romance intensifying, a simmering sibling feud, and staying under the radar proves challenging.
As tensions boil over, Madison and James must decide if their love is worth risking everything—or if their relationship is is headed for the chopping block.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published December 30, 2025
3002 people are currently reading
116654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,374 reviews
December 31, 2025
4.5/5 stars
This was honestly one of my most anticipated reads ever like I was counting down the days until I could finally get my hands on it. When my ARC got approved, I swear I checked twice because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening 😭. I’ve always adored Sarah’s books, and this one was no exception. Her writing just has that magic it pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the end.
And oh my god, when I finished it, I was actually sobbing. This being the last book in the When in Rome series broke me a little because I’ve loved this series to absolute pieces. I’m not even someone who usually finishes series I have like three unfinished ones sitting on my shelf waiting for me (maybe someday I’ll get to them 😭). But as a total mood reader, completing a series feels like an accomplishment and heartbreak all at once. This one was just that special.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
this is the fourth and final book in the when in rome series and I’m not even going to pretend, this whole series is literally one of my comfort reads. like genuinely. the third book beg, borrow or steal?? easily one of the best small-town romcoms I’ve ever read. the cozy energy, the found family, the way every character cares so deeply about each other it feels warm in a way that you don’t even realize you needed until you’re in it. ever since I finished the first book I just knew this whole series would stay a favourite of mine forever.
this final book follows madison the youngest walker sister she’s chaotic, she’s dramatic, she’s loud, she’s a menace in the most entertaining way. she comes back home, and being back home brings her face to face with james huxley her brother’s best friend… the “oh no this could get complicated” type of crush. and slowly, that turns into something real.
but it’s not just romance the story also deals with her trying to find her footing again in her career as a chef, dealing with grief she’s carried for a long time, the weight of expectations, her own self-doubt, and all of that classic messy but real family dynamic.
and the way it all comes together is so soft and so bittersweet it really feels like the kind of final chapter that you want to pause and hold onto for a moment, simply because it’s the end of something that meant a lot to you.
➳ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
➳ Madison Walker
Madison is honestly one of those characters you just instantly connect with. like the way she talked about her self-doubt when it came to changing careers? that hit. the fear of leaving your town and starting completely fresh somewhere new? that’s such a real kind of terrifying. and then the insecurities the feeling of “am I even enough?” she carried all that in such a raw and human way that it didn’t even feel like fiction anymore. it didn’t feel like “oh I’ve felt this too,” it felt more like “I feel her feeling this.” that’s how deeply her emotions were written.
and the way she constantly compared herself to her sisters god that part was so painfully realistic. Sarah Adams has this gift to write characters like they’re breathing, like they’re sitting in your room telling you their mess in person. she writes in a way that legit makes you forget you’re reading words on a page.
madison is genuinely the kind of character you want to hype up, protect, laugh with, and get coffee with. her bubbly personality, the way she jokes, her witty comebacks, and the quiet kind of determination she has for her dreams all of that made me fall in love with her character a thousand times more. she’s the type of girl you wish you could be best friends with in real life.
➳ James Huxley
James is honestly the blueprint of “when in Rome” perfection. And yes yes, I know I’ve said that before about the other men in this series but what am I supposed to do?? Sarah writes her men like they were carved out of every hopeless romantic daydream I’ve ever had. She makes falling in love feel possible again, even when reality keeps reminding you that real-life men are not built like this. But a girl can still hope… right? 🤧
James Huxley is the kind of man you proudly take home to meet your parents. He’s the kind of man who makes you feel whole without trying to “fix” you like he just supports you so well that you actually want to grow into the best version of yourself. And that’s exactly what every girl deserves. The way he defended Madison when people tried to tear her down, the way he stepped in for her, protected her spirit, protected her name it was so sincere.
Like HELLO this man literally built an entire restaurant just so she could come back home to something she loved. Who does that? Who loves like that? . The way he believed in her for the both of them, the gentle reassurance he gave her when she broke down, the softness in how he loved her through her insecurities ugh. My heart actually melted like butter on a hot pan.
James is one of those fictional men you close the book and just stare at the ceiling for a second. Because wow. He made me believe in love again even if it’s fictional.
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
Honestly, if you loved the other books in the When in Rome series, then trust me you’re going to love this one too. Like I genuinely mean it. Sarah just has this magical way of making you relate to every single character she introduces. It’s wild how you end up loving them with the exact same intensity you loved the previous ones. Every character feels so fully fleshed out, so layered, so human you literally forget it’s fiction. It feels like you’re reading about people you know, people you’ve grown with, people who live in your heart.
The comfort this series gives is unreal. The soft safety, the sense of belonging, the feeling of “I know these people” it’s so rare. And maybe that’s why it hurts so much that it’s ending. When I finished it, I genuinely felt that sting like the ache you get when you have to say goodbye to people you love. I shed actual tears because I wasn’t ready to let this world go. It’s like finishing a chapter of your own life.
°˖➴ " Overall, if you love small town romance that feels like home, if you like characters who feel like your emotional support people, if you want that soft-warm safe feeling while reading… don’t even think twice. Just pick this book up. I swear you won’t regret it." 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 30 September, 2025
i got the arc of my dreams yayy!! sarah i literally love youu 🤧🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Because where Madison is concerned, I think I’d be willing to set the world on fire if it made her smile. And she has no idea"
This was honestly one of my most anticipated reads ever like I was counting down the days until I could finally get my hands on it. When my ARC got approved, I swear I checked twice because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening 😭. I’ve always adored Sarah’s books, and this one was no exception. Her writing just has that magic it pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the end.
And oh my god, when I finished it, I was actually sobbing. This being the last book in the When in Rome series broke me a little because I’ve loved this series to absolute pieces. I’m not even someone who usually finishes series I have like three unfinished ones sitting on my shelf waiting for me (maybe someday I’ll get to them 😭). But as a total mood reader, completing a series feels like an accomplishment and heartbreak all at once. This one was just that special.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
this is the fourth and final book in the when in rome series and I’m not even going to pretend, this whole series is literally one of my comfort reads. like genuinely. the third book beg, borrow or steal?? easily one of the best small-town romcoms I’ve ever read. the cozy energy, the found family, the way every character cares so deeply about each other it feels warm in a way that you don’t even realize you needed until you’re in it. ever since I finished the first book I just knew this whole series would stay a favourite of mine forever.
this final book follows madison the youngest walker sister she’s chaotic, she’s dramatic, she’s loud, she’s a menace in the most entertaining way. she comes back home, and being back home brings her face to face with james huxley her brother’s best friend… the “oh no this could get complicated” type of crush. and slowly, that turns into something real.
but it’s not just romance the story also deals with her trying to find her footing again in her career as a chef, dealing with grief she’s carried for a long time, the weight of expectations, her own self-doubt, and all of that classic messy but real family dynamic.
and the way it all comes together is so soft and so bittersweet it really feels like the kind of final chapter that you want to pause and hold onto for a moment, simply because it’s the end of something that meant a lot to you.
➳ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
➳ Madison Walker
"I love you too. Have my heart, James it's yours."
Madison is honestly one of those characters you just instantly connect with. like the way she talked about her self-doubt when it came to changing careers? that hit. the fear of leaving your town and starting completely fresh somewhere new? that’s such a real kind of terrifying. and then the insecurities the feeling of “am I even enough?” she carried all that in such a raw and human way that it didn’t even feel like fiction anymore. it didn’t feel like “oh I’ve felt this too,” it felt more like “I feel her feeling this.” that’s how deeply her emotions were written.
and the way she constantly compared herself to her sisters god that part was so painfully realistic. Sarah Adams has this gift to write characters like they’re breathing, like they’re sitting in your room telling you their mess in person. she writes in a way that legit makes you forget you’re reading words on a page.
madison is genuinely the kind of character you want to hype up, protect, laugh with, and get coffee with. her bubbly personality, the way she jokes, her witty comebacks, and the quiet kind of determination she has for her dreams all of that made me fall in love with her character a thousand times more. she’s the type of girl you wish you could be best friends with in real life.
➳ James Huxley
“I love you, Madison. And when I said I'm all-in on you, I meant all-in. You'll never have to wonder where you stand with me. Be mad at me. Tell me when I'm being a jackass and make me sleep on the couch. Chase your wild heart and when you come home, I'll be here. Always."
James is honestly the blueprint of “when in Rome” perfection. And yes yes, I know I’ve said that before about the other men in this series but what am I supposed to do?? Sarah writes her men like they were carved out of every hopeless romantic daydream I’ve ever had. She makes falling in love feel possible again, even when reality keeps reminding you that real-life men are not built like this. But a girl can still hope… right? 🤧
James Huxley is the kind of man you proudly take home to meet your parents. He’s the kind of man who makes you feel whole without trying to “fix” you like he just supports you so well that you actually want to grow into the best version of yourself. And that’s exactly what every girl deserves. The way he defended Madison when people tried to tear her down, the way he stepped in for her, protected her spirit, protected her name it was so sincere.
Like HELLO this man literally built an entire restaurant just so she could come back home to something she loved. Who does that? Who loves like that? . The way he believed in her for the both of them, the gentle reassurance he gave her when she broke down, the softness in how he loved her through her insecurities ugh. My heart actually melted like butter on a hot pan.
James is one of those fictional men you close the book and just stare at the ceiling for a second. Because wow. He made me believe in love again even if it’s fictional.
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
"And what if I want to chase my wild heart with me sometimes? Will you go? Or is this where you stay home?"
"You're my home, I'll go with you anywhere."
Honestly, if you loved the other books in the When in Rome series, then trust me you’re going to love this one too. Like I genuinely mean it. Sarah just has this magical way of making you relate to every single character she introduces. It’s wild how you end up loving them with the exact same intensity you loved the previous ones. Every character feels so fully fleshed out, so layered, so human you literally forget it’s fiction. It feels like you’re reading about people you know, people you’ve grown with, people who live in your heart.
The comfort this series gives is unreal. The soft safety, the sense of belonging, the feeling of “I know these people” it’s so rare. And maybe that’s why it hurts so much that it’s ending. When I finished it, I genuinely felt that sting like the ache you get when you have to say goodbye to people you love. I shed actual tears because I wasn’t ready to let this world go. It’s like finishing a chapter of your own life.
°˖➴ " Overall, if you love small town romance that feels like home, if you like characters who feel like your emotional support people, if you want that soft-warm safe feeling while reading… don’t even think twice. Just pick this book up. I swear you won’t regret it." 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 30 September, 2025
i got the arc of my dreams yayy!! sarah i literally love youu 🤧🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I remember enjoying the first half of this series, though I never considered it groundbreaking or particularly memorable. To me, they were just nice, sweet romances that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I wasn't the biggest fan of the previous book, so I went into this one with an extremely open mind and low expectations, simply hoping for a good time. Unfortunately, this was so boring and, to be frank, horribly written.
Madison and James are our main characters, and I couldn't connect with either of them. The romance felt completely unconvincing because their relationship consisted entirely of physical attraction, which I've never enjoyed reading about. We're repeatedly told that James has been yearning for Madison for years, even obsessed with her, but we're never shown WHY. The book quite literally bangs you over the head with how much he supposedly loves her and yearns for her without providing a single compelling reason beyond physical attraction. Like why was this romance necessary??? I have no idea.
Madison is by far my least favourite fmc in the series. She's 30 but acts incredibly immature. In one scene, she couldn't tell the difference between a statue and a human being which was so incredibly absurd!? The author clearly tried to make her quirky, but it came off as extremely cringeworthy and painfully unfunny.
This book might work for you if you're looking for an extremely light, undemanding read, but it honestly felt like the author rushed through it just to finish the series.
ARC provided by Hachette Australia.
Madison and James are our main characters, and I couldn't connect with either of them. The romance felt completely unconvincing because their relationship consisted entirely of physical attraction, which I've never enjoyed reading about. We're repeatedly told that James has been yearning for Madison for years, even obsessed with her, but we're never shown WHY. The book quite literally bangs you over the head with how much he supposedly loves her and yearns for her without providing a single compelling reason beyond physical attraction. Like why was this romance necessary??? I have no idea.
Madison is by far my least favourite fmc in the series. She's 30 but acts incredibly immature. In one scene, she couldn't tell the difference between a statue and a human being which was so incredibly absurd!? The author clearly tried to make her quirky, but it came off as extremely cringeworthy and painfully unfunny.
This book might work for you if you're looking for an extremely light, undemanding read, but it honestly felt like the author rushed through it just to finish the series.
ARC provided by Hachette Australia.
January 1, 2026
ended the year with an absolute masterpiece! 🖤
January 1, 2026
It feels so wonderful to be back in Rome—this dreamy, cozy small town filled with vivid, lovable characters and the kind of heartfelt love stories that wrap around you like a warm blanket. This time, we dive into another Walker sister’s journey, and it’s Madeleine’s turn to shine with two delicious tropes: crushing on my brother’s best friend and workplace romance!
Madison is such a delightfully warm, energetic, funny, and deeply sensitive heroine. Her mind moves a mile a minute—she’s a little scattered, a little chaotic, always juggling too much at once, and often dropping everything the moment her thoughts spiral. While her sisters seem to be thriving—crushing their careers, finding soulmates (and in Noah’s case, even becoming a country star!)—Madison feels left behind. She quits her teaching job to chase her dream of becoming a chef, moves to New York to attend culinary school thanks to Emily’s gentle push, and graduates… but not with the confidence she hoped for. She feels like she barely scraped by, relying on extra credit cleaning labs and never quite believing she deserved her spot. She even skips her own graduation ceremony and hides it from her family.
And then comes the emotional breakdown moment that changes everything: she drunkenly, accidentally calls James Huxley—her brother Noah’s best friend and the guy she has secretly pined for forever. Their relationship has always been awkward, distant, and full of unspoken tension, so he’s the last person she expects to comfort her. But he listens. He genuinely listens. And then he offers her a solution that feels like a lifeline: come home to Rome as the chef for the new restaurant he supposedly plans to open while restoring his family farm.
For Madison, this feels like a dream come true. A fresh start without shame. A chance to return home with her head held high—not dragging her tail between her legs.
What she doesn’t realize is that James never had a restaurant plan. He made one for her. Because he’s also had a long, quiet crush on Madison, and giving her this opportunity feels like both helping her and bringing her back into his world. To pull this off, he enlists the help of his infuriatingly charming, designer-clad, LA-hotshot brother Tommy—who fled Rome years ago for the big city and definitely did not plan on returning. Tommy’s presence instantly spices things up, especially when he starts sending flirty signals Madison’s way, creating friction between the brothers.
Back home, Madison thrives but also struggles—because spending so much time with James reignites all those feelings she tried so hard to bury. She made a rule never to get involved with coworkers, and now he’s her boss and her brother’s best friend… talk about forbidden temptation. James, meanwhile, is trying to keep everything afloat—his dreams for the farm, his father’s declining health, the financial risks looming over their heads. If Madison can’t make the restaurant work, they both lose so much. And yet James believes in her more fiercely than she has ever believed in herself.
Can they resist the growing chemistry simmering between them? Or will they be brave enough to find out what they could become together?
Overall: Returning to Rome is always sweet, heartwarming, and uplifting. I adored this pairing. Madison—with her lively spirit, big heart, and search for purpose—and James—the steady, charming, quietly smoldering cowboy who has best book boyfriend potential written all over him—are absolutely perfect for each other. And Tommy? He 100% earned his own book. The flashy LA city boy absolutely needs his own journey back to Rome!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine/Dell for sharing this lovely and highly anticipated romance of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Madison is such a delightfully warm, energetic, funny, and deeply sensitive heroine. Her mind moves a mile a minute—she’s a little scattered, a little chaotic, always juggling too much at once, and often dropping everything the moment her thoughts spiral. While her sisters seem to be thriving—crushing their careers, finding soulmates (and in Noah’s case, even becoming a country star!)—Madison feels left behind. She quits her teaching job to chase her dream of becoming a chef, moves to New York to attend culinary school thanks to Emily’s gentle push, and graduates… but not with the confidence she hoped for. She feels like she barely scraped by, relying on extra credit cleaning labs and never quite believing she deserved her spot. She even skips her own graduation ceremony and hides it from her family.
And then comes the emotional breakdown moment that changes everything: she drunkenly, accidentally calls James Huxley—her brother Noah’s best friend and the guy she has secretly pined for forever. Their relationship has always been awkward, distant, and full of unspoken tension, so he’s the last person she expects to comfort her. But he listens. He genuinely listens. And then he offers her a solution that feels like a lifeline: come home to Rome as the chef for the new restaurant he supposedly plans to open while restoring his family farm.
For Madison, this feels like a dream come true. A fresh start without shame. A chance to return home with her head held high—not dragging her tail between her legs.
What she doesn’t realize is that James never had a restaurant plan. He made one for her. Because he’s also had a long, quiet crush on Madison, and giving her this opportunity feels like both helping her and bringing her back into his world. To pull this off, he enlists the help of his infuriatingly charming, designer-clad, LA-hotshot brother Tommy—who fled Rome years ago for the big city and definitely did not plan on returning. Tommy’s presence instantly spices things up, especially when he starts sending flirty signals Madison’s way, creating friction between the brothers.
Back home, Madison thrives but also struggles—because spending so much time with James reignites all those feelings she tried so hard to bury. She made a rule never to get involved with coworkers, and now he’s her boss and her brother’s best friend… talk about forbidden temptation. James, meanwhile, is trying to keep everything afloat—his dreams for the farm, his father’s declining health, the financial risks looming over their heads. If Madison can’t make the restaurant work, they both lose so much. And yet James believes in her more fiercely than she has ever believed in herself.
Can they resist the growing chemistry simmering between them? Or will they be brave enough to find out what they could become together?
Overall: Returning to Rome is always sweet, heartwarming, and uplifting. I adored this pairing. Madison—with her lively spirit, big heart, and search for purpose—and James—the steady, charming, quietly smoldering cowboy who has best book boyfriend potential written all over him—are absolutely perfect for each other. And Tommy? He 100% earned his own book. The flashy LA city boy absolutely needs his own journey back to Rome!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine/Dell for sharing this lovely and highly anticipated romance of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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December 2, 2025Tell me why I have an arc for this when I haven’t even read the previous books 😭😭😭
Want to read
July 19, 2025OMGGG A NEW RELEASE DAY!!! IN DECEMBER 2025!!!
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IM SO SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!!! I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT THIS LONG FOR THE BOOK! IM SO IMPATIENT I NEED THIS IN MY HANDS!!
————————-
IM SO SO EXCITED FOR THIS!!!! I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT THIS LONG FOR THE BOOK! IM SO IMPATIENT I NEED THIS IN MY HANDS!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
જ⁀➴ 𝟒.𝟓𝟎₊˚⊹💗 𝟙𝟚/𝟚𝟚/𝟚𝟝—𝟙𝟚/𝟚𝟚/𝟚𝟝
STOP—I didn’t want this to end but it was so good 😭! i didn’t realize how much i loved this series until the last page!! THERE BETTER BE A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA!! (better yet a Valentine’s Day novella)!!
the yearning was AMAZING, and this was the definition of gentle but passionate love!! literally with each book in this series it kept getting better and better and this book has moved up to one of my all time favorite romcoms!! 👀
James really did have a phD in yearning and silent love because WOW!! and seeing his relationship with his brother progress was cute as well (i need a book for tommy too)!! but all the men in this series are really top tier 🤭!
i didn’t even really like madison in the other books—but i loved her so much in this one!! her grief and anxiety were written SO well and i loved the overall message about failure!! she was funny, sweet, and relatable and soulmates with james 🥺
also please give it up for sarah adams because this is the first book that i’ve binged in MONTHS!! not only that but in 3 hours?! (yes I timed myself because i already knew I would devour this)!
honestly there isn’t much to say other than you NEED this book right now (and this whole series)! overall one of my favorites ever and one of my favorite mmcs too 💕!!🥺
pub date: 12/30/25 👀
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this Arc.
𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝟒.𝟐𝟓
𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕: 𝟒.𝟓𝟎 💚
╰┈➤ what to expect!!!
💚 he falls first
💗 small-town romance
💚 chef fmc x farmer mmc
💗 major slow-burn
💚 childhood frenemies to lovers
💗 “phD in yearning” mmc
💚 fast paced
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
I GOT THE ARC!! so of course im going to start it today 👀💚!! I’ve loved reading sarah adams so I can’t wait to read this one too 🤭!! and the snippets of them in the other books!!
STOP—I didn’t want this to end but it was so good 😭! i didn’t realize how much i loved this series until the last page!! THERE BETTER BE A CHRISTMAS NOVELLA!! (better yet a Valentine’s Day novella)!!
the yearning was AMAZING, and this was the definition of gentle but passionate love!! literally with each book in this series it kept getting better and better and this book has moved up to one of my all time favorite romcoms!! 👀
James really did have a phD in yearning and silent love because WOW!! and seeing his relationship with his brother progress was cute as well (i need a book for tommy too)!! but all the men in this series are really top tier 🤭!
i didn’t even really like madison in the other books—but i loved her so much in this one!! her grief and anxiety were written SO well and i loved the overall message about failure!! she was funny, sweet, and relatable and soulmates with james 🥺
also please give it up for sarah adams because this is the first book that i’ve binged in MONTHS!! not only that but in 3 hours?! (yes I timed myself because i already knew I would devour this)!
honestly there isn’t much to say other than you NEED this book right now (and this whole series)! overall one of my favorites ever and one of my favorite mmcs too 💕!!🥺
pub date: 12/30/25 👀
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this Arc.
𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝟒.𝟐𝟓
𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕: 𝟒.𝟓𝟎 💚
╰┈➤ what to expect!!!
💚 he falls first
💗 small-town romance
💚 chef fmc x farmer mmc
💗 major slow-burn
💚 childhood frenemies to lovers
💗 “phD in yearning” mmc
💚 fast paced
₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
I GOT THE ARC!! so of course im going to start it today 👀💚!! I’ve loved reading sarah adams so I can’t wait to read this one too 🤭!! and the snippets of them in the other books!!
December 30, 2025
જ⁀➴ 1.75 ✰
I can’t believe I’m saying this about a Sarah Adams book, but this was a big disappointment. I was so so excited to read James and Madison story since I read practice makes perfect and all that for what? for this?🧍🏻♀️
im actually crying because you all know how much I love Sarah Adams, she is literally my favorite author but I just can’t lie and tell myself that I loved this when I didn’t☹️ this was not the Sarah I’m used to.
The best word to describe this book is underwhelming. I really really really tried to love it, and I did enjoy the first 20%, but the more I read, the less I liked it. The story, the characters, the plot, all fell flat for me.
Sarah’s books are usually funny and charming in a quirky way, which is one of the main reasons I enjoy her writing. But here, it was SOOO painfully bad, the humor just didn’t work. It felt forced and awkward instead of cute or funny.
I’ve also realized that I rarely love the last book in a series because the closure often feels incomplete. That’s probably just a me problem. Still, for a series finale, I expected more moments with all the characters together. There were a few, but even in those parts, they didn’t feel like their old selves. It’s hard to explain what I felt reading this book, but I just know that it wasn’t enjoyment.
The only time I was happy was whenever my precious loves Will & Annie and Jack & Emily appeared on a scene!!! >ᴗ<
⤷ ゛the charactersˎˊ˗
My biggest issue with the book is that I couldn’t connect with either Madison or James. Both of them felt flat and one-dimensional, and I struggled to understand their choices or thoughts.
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [james] ࿐ྂ
Honestly, James might be one of the most boring male leads I’ve read in a while. The only thing that stood out about him was that he had big arms and he never took off his boots. Also I have been seeing everywhere that the yearning from James side is extraordinary, but James keep saying and saying that he have been in love with Madison FOR YEARS yet it doesn’t feel like that and I DO NOT SEE IT, the said “longing and yearning” was nowhere to be found.
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [madison] ࿐ྂ
I don’t even know where to begin with her. It’s insane how immature and childish she was.
Madison is officially my least favorite Walker sibling, mind you Noah is not my favorite neither cause he is boring asf but how can you be in your 30s and not being able to differentiate between a living performer and a statue??!????
Like what is wrong with you😭?
She truly lost me when she said that his boots could make an incredible erotic ASMR. I just can’t understand her fr.
I also wanted to bang my head on the wall every time Madison mentioned how she was celibate and that maybe that’s the reason why she wanted to lick every single part of James’s body. It was so repetitive and I didn’t see any reason why that fact could be so important to the story.
I think the reason why I don’t like her it’s because I couldn’t relate to her in anything, so maybe someone who is similar to her might like enjoy being in her mind. I didn’t enjoy being in her mind. Not even one second. It was torture.🤐
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [the relationship] ࿐ྂ
Their relationship felt awkward and unbelievable. It gave off “everyone around me is in a relationship, so I guess I need one too” energy. The chemistry wasn’t there, and the emotional connection was completely missing. They also took so fucking long to get together, I’m sorry, everything was just making me more annoyed.
I understand that Sarah is trying to move away from her closed-door romance style, and I respect that, but this wasn’t the right way to do it imo. Madison and James’s relationship felt purely physical. Madison keeps mentioning how she’s celibate but wants James, and James seems to only think about her physically. I don’t mind romance with intimacy, but there was no friendship or genuine connection, just constant lust. It made their entire relationship feel shallow.
And again, I don’t have a problem at all with Sarah making this transition in her books I do have a problem with the fact that the transition was not smooth!
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Anyways, very sad that my most anticipated read and that the finale of a series that I love was my most disappointing one😕 obviously going to continue reading whatever she writes next because I do love her books but I hope she doesn’t focus too hard on the sexual side of the character’s relationship cause that’s what I think went wrong mainly for the book.
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
thank you sm dell and netgalley for the earc in exchange of an honest review
_____________
{the happiness below was good while it lasted lol}
┆ ⤿ 💐 ༝ pre-read:
IT’S TIMEEEEE!!! IM COMING HOMEEEE😼
had to take a break from the book because of college but now im back fr!!🙂↕️ i seriously can’t contain my excitement for this book, I have been waiting for Madison and James’s story since I read practice makes perfect and I just know that this is going to be perfect!! Don’t want to accept that this is the last one in the series tho😫
_________
TEARS ROLLING DOWN MY FACE RIGHT NOW😭 I cant believe my request got approved🥹 have to control myself so I don’t start this and ignore all my current reads🤚🏻
_________
ITS GETTING RELEASED A WEEK EARLIER!!!!!
she did it for me😌😌
___________
FOAMING AT THE MOUTH FOR THIS BOOK😭
I’ll read Sarah’s entire grocery list atp.
”He's loved her quietly for years, knowing she's never seen him as more than an annoyance.”
give it to meeeee rn🫴🏻🫴🏻🫴🏻
I’ve been waiting for Madison and James book since practice makes perfect🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️ I’m so excited but also not ready for this series to end
CHEF X FARMER
THE BACKWARDS HAT. THE COVER. obsessed
I can’t believe I’m saying this about a Sarah Adams book, but this was a big disappointment. I was so so excited to read James and Madison story since I read practice makes perfect and all that for what? for this?🧍🏻♀️
im actually crying because you all know how much I love Sarah Adams, she is literally my favorite author but I just can’t lie and tell myself that I loved this when I didn’t☹️ this was not the Sarah I’m used to.
The best word to describe this book is underwhelming. I really really really tried to love it, and I did enjoy the first 20%, but the more I read, the less I liked it. The story, the characters, the plot, all fell flat for me.
Sarah’s books are usually funny and charming in a quirky way, which is one of the main reasons I enjoy her writing. But here, it was SOOO painfully bad, the humor just didn’t work. It felt forced and awkward instead of cute or funny.
I’ve also realized that I rarely love the last book in a series because the closure often feels incomplete. That’s probably just a me problem. Still, for a series finale, I expected more moments with all the characters together. There were a few, but even in those parts, they didn’t feel like their old selves. It’s hard to explain what I felt reading this book, but I just know that it wasn’t enjoyment.
The only time I was happy was whenever my precious loves Will & Annie and Jack & Emily appeared on a scene!!! >ᴗ<
⤷ ゛the charactersˎˊ˗
My biggest issue with the book is that I couldn’t connect with either Madison or James. Both of them felt flat and one-dimensional, and I struggled to understand their choices or thoughts.
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [james] ࿐ྂ
Honestly, James might be one of the most boring male leads I’ve read in a while. The only thing that stood out about him was that he had big arms and he never took off his boots. Also I have been seeing everywhere that the yearning from James side is extraordinary, but James keep saying and saying that he have been in love with Madison FOR YEARS yet it doesn’t feel like that and I DO NOT SEE IT, the said “longing and yearning” was nowhere to be found.
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [madison] ࿐ྂ
I don’t even know where to begin with her. It’s insane how immature and childish she was.
Madison is officially my least favorite Walker sibling, mind you Noah is not my favorite neither cause he is boring asf but how can you be in your 30s and not being able to differentiate between a living performer and a statue??!????
Like what is wrong with you😭?
She truly lost me when she said that his boots could make an incredible erotic ASMR. I just can’t understand her fr.
I also wanted to bang my head on the wall every time Madison mentioned how she was celibate and that maybe that’s the reason why she wanted to lick every single part of James’s body. It was so repetitive and I didn’t see any reason why that fact could be so important to the story.
I think the reason why I don’t like her it’s because I couldn’t relate to her in anything, so maybe someone who is similar to her might like enjoy being in her mind. I didn’t enjoy being in her mind. Not even one second. It was torture.🤐
. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ [the relationship] ࿐ྂ
Their relationship felt awkward and unbelievable. It gave off “everyone around me is in a relationship, so I guess I need one too” energy. The chemistry wasn’t there, and the emotional connection was completely missing. They also took so fucking long to get together, I’m sorry, everything was just making me more annoyed.
I understand that Sarah is trying to move away from her closed-door romance style, and I respect that, but this wasn’t the right way to do it imo. Madison and James’s relationship felt purely physical. Madison keeps mentioning how she’s celibate but wants James, and James seems to only think about her physically. I don’t mind romance with intimacy, but there was no friendship or genuine connection, just constant lust. It made their entire relationship feel shallow.
And again, I don’t have a problem at all with Sarah making this transition in her books I do have a problem with the fact that the transition was not smooth!
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Anyways, very sad that my most anticipated read and that the finale of a series that I love was my most disappointing one😕 obviously going to continue reading whatever she writes next because I do love her books but I hope she doesn’t focus too hard on the sexual side of the character’s relationship cause that’s what I think went wrong mainly for the book.
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
thank you sm dell and netgalley for the earc in exchange of an honest review
_____________
{the happiness below was good while it lasted lol}
┆ ⤿ 💐 ༝ pre-read:
IT’S TIMEEEEE!!! IM COMING HOMEEEE😼
had to take a break from the book because of college but now im back fr!!🙂↕️ i seriously can’t contain my excitement for this book, I have been waiting for Madison and James’s story since I read practice makes perfect and I just know that this is going to be perfect!! Don’t want to accept that this is the last one in the series tho😫
_________
TEARS ROLLING DOWN MY FACE RIGHT NOW😭 I cant believe my request got approved🥹 have to control myself so I don’t start this and ignore all my current reads🤚🏻
_________
ITS GETTING RELEASED A WEEK EARLIER!!!!!
she did it for me😌😌
___________
FOAMING AT THE MOUTH FOR THIS BOOK😭
I’ll read Sarah’s entire grocery list atp.
”He's loved her quietly for years, knowing she's never seen him as more than an annoyance.”
give it to meeeee rn🫴🏻🫴🏻🫴🏻
I’ve been waiting for Madison and James book since practice makes perfect🤸🏻♀️🤸🏻♀️ I’m so excited but also not ready for this series to end
CHEF X FARMER
THE BACKWARDS HAT. THE COVER. obsessed
October 11, 2025
6 stars!!
an absolute rom-com perfection!!!
reading this book almost 3 months before release date feels like a dream 🥺 i still cant believe i got the arc of this book! this is literally my fav romcom small town series and i have been waiting for madison's story since since late 2023!! i just know buket and i are going to love this beauty 💚🎀
an absolute rom-com perfection!!!
reading this book almost 3 months before release date feels like a dream 🥺 i still cant believe i got the arc of this book! this is literally my fav romcom small town series and i have been waiting for madison's story since since late 2023!! i just know buket and i are going to love this beauty 💚🎀
December 31, 2025
Third time’s the charm!
After the not-sure-about Cheat Sheet and the meh When in Rome, I finally found a Sarah Adams book worthy of my love.
4.5 stars
Madison and James have known each other forever but were never close. What Madison doesn’t know is that James has had a crush on her for years. She’s never looked at him as anything other than Noah’s best friend, but now that they’re working together, she’s starting to see him in a different light and appreciate his solid, quiet presence.
I loved James — he was hardworking and dependable, always there for her, and he was an outdoorsy, strong type, which was super hot. Madison was a mess, but she wasn’t quirky-annoying. She had no filter, which was handy; she spoke before thinking, so there was no room for miscommunication. Since I suffer from the same affliction (or maybe I should say the people around me suffer from it), I won’t be judging a sister in crime. She may have been too much for some, but she was extremely relatable to me.
I also loved the friends-to-lovers aspect. Unlike in so many contemporary romances, they weren’t best friends who stayed in the friend zone for no reason. They were more like Monica and Chandler — always in each other’s orbit but never close enough, until something shifts and BAM 💥😻
What didn’t work was the general nosiness of the small town and Madison’s sisters. But I knew from the first book not to expect boundaries, so I’m not dwelling on that. However! I have to say that I appreciate Noah treating his sister like an adult and not “defending” her from his best friend, which is a very common problem with the brother’s-best-friend trope. He didn’t have any opinion about them being together, and it was perfect.
All in all, adorable and very refreshing in many ways. So far, my absolute favorite from this author!
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
After the not-sure-about Cheat Sheet and the meh When in Rome, I finally found a Sarah Adams book worthy of my love.
4.5 stars
Madison and James have known each other forever but were never close. What Madison doesn’t know is that James has had a crush on her for years. She’s never looked at him as anything other than Noah’s best friend, but now that they’re working together, she’s starting to see him in a different light and appreciate his solid, quiet presence.
I loved James — he was hardworking and dependable, always there for her, and he was an outdoorsy, strong type, which was super hot. Madison was a mess, but she wasn’t quirky-annoying. She had no filter, which was handy; she spoke before thinking, so there was no room for miscommunication. Since I suffer from the same affliction (or maybe I should say the people around me suffer from it), I won’t be judging a sister in crime. She may have been too much for some, but she was extremely relatable to me.
I also loved the friends-to-lovers aspect. Unlike in so many contemporary romances, they weren’t best friends who stayed in the friend zone for no reason. They were more like Monica and Chandler — always in each other’s orbit but never close enough, until something shifts and BAM 💥😻
What didn’t work was the general nosiness of the small town and Madison’s sisters. But I knew from the first book not to expect boundaries, so I’m not dwelling on that. However! I have to say that I appreciate Noah treating his sister like an adult and not “defending” her from his best friend, which is a very common problem with the brother’s-best-friend trope. He didn’t have any opinion about them being together, and it was perfect.
All in all, adorable and very refreshing in many ways. So far, my absolute favorite from this author!
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
January 2, 2026
3.5 🌟
: ̗̀➛ started on 1/01/26
: ̗̀➛ finished on 1/01/26
honestly kinda disappointed. maybe i wasn't in the mood for this, but this book felt so bland to me. some parts i definitely did enjoy but majority of the book was just okay 🫤
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pre-read: yes, i know i've already started the book but better late than never right? i was really excited to read this but so far its kinda mid 😔
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once that clock hits midnight you bet im reading this
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sarah adams is genuinely one of my favorite authors, i'm so sad for this series to end
: ̗̀➛ started on 1/01/26
: ̗̀➛ finished on 1/01/26
honestly kinda disappointed. maybe i wasn't in the mood for this, but this book felt so bland to me. some parts i definitely did enjoy but majority of the book was just okay 🫤
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pre-read: yes, i know i've already started the book but better late than never right? i was really excited to read this but so far its kinda mid 😔
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once that clock hits midnight you bet im reading this
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sarah adams is genuinely one of my favorite authors, i'm so sad for this series to end
October 9, 2025
okay but not my queen sarah adams giving me TWO of my favorites this year??? i thought i loved beg borrow or steal until i read in your dreams bc hello? relatable as hell and so so incredibly cute!!😩
first off, madison. my favorite fmc in the series🥹 my sweet girl with a soft heart and a crazy brain with unhinged ideas🙂↔️ i LOVE her so much and i related to her on a deep level that i almost hyperventilated every time she had a panic attack🫠 my beautiful girl deserved every good thing in the world
which brings us to that good thing: james huxley. MY MANNNNNN. he yearned like he had no other business🤭 like he fell for her so bad he never wanted to get up😩
"Yearning doesn't skim the surface of it. For a decade, I've been dying inside, wanting you."
and my favorite family in rome🥹 i LOVEEEEEEE their dynamics so much and i wanna reread already bc this made me miss them all🥹 a beautiful ending to the series and i wish we could read more because it’s never enough 🥹
His head dips, mouth hovering over mine for an excruciating length
of time.
"What are you waiting for?" I ask, sounding breathless. Desperate.
"I'm not waiting. I'm savoring."
Oh my god. Why would he say that?
reading with my precious bestie ri made this experience so much better🙂↔️ love you bitch
first off, madison. my favorite fmc in the series🥹 my sweet girl with a soft heart and a crazy brain with unhinged ideas🙂↔️ i LOVE her so much and i related to her on a deep level that i almost hyperventilated every time she had a panic attack🫠 my beautiful girl deserved every good thing in the world
which brings us to that good thing: james huxley. MY MANNNNNN. he yearned like he had no other business🤭 like he fell for her so bad he never wanted to get up😩
"Yearning doesn't skim the surface of it. For a decade, I've been dying inside, wanting you."
and my favorite family in rome🥹 i LOVEEEEEEE their dynamics so much and i wanna reread already bc this made me miss them all🥹 a beautiful ending to the series and i wish we could read more because it’s never enough 🥹
His head dips, mouth hovering over mine for an excruciating length
of time.
"What are you waiting for?" I ask, sounding breathless. Desperate.
"I'm not waiting. I'm savoring."
Oh my god. Why would he say that?
reading with my precious bestie ri made this experience so much better🙂↔️ love you bitch
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
writing this review feels so bittersweet for me, when i first started reviewing for netgalley in 2023 ‘when in rome’ was my third approval on here but my first from a huge author and publisher, since then i have been so lucky to get to review all of the rome kentucky books and have loved every single one with every fiber of my being 😭
i have chomping at the bit for james and madison’s story since book one and oh man were the ever worth the wait!!! i dont know who im obsessed with more between the two of them honestly. everything about this relationship was SO fun, i absolutely loved the way it progressed. obviously we know going into this book that james is in love with madison and has been for sometime now but even though he has these feelings already the book was still a beautiful slowburn. we got to see him fall in love with her even more the closer they got and the more their friendship bloomed.
there were a million and one different things i wholeheartedly loved through out this book, i’d be writing all day if i started to try and name them all but one of my forever favorite things about this entire series, this book being no different is how many cameos we get thorough out the story of all of the past characters and side characters that we have spent 3 years and four books loving so much. every time a beloved character showed their face it made my heart feel so full to get to see a little of how they are doing in the time since we last saw them.
there is just something so magical about this town and sarah adams writing in general that makes it so hard to want to say goodbye for good, while i am forever excited for what sarah has in store for us next a little piece of my heart will always belong to rome kentucky 🥹
i have chomping at the bit for james and madison’s story since book one and oh man were the ever worth the wait!!! i dont know who im obsessed with more between the two of them honestly. everything about this relationship was SO fun, i absolutely loved the way it progressed. obviously we know going into this book that james is in love with madison and has been for sometime now but even though he has these feelings already the book was still a beautiful slowburn. we got to see him fall in love with her even more the closer they got and the more their friendship bloomed.
there were a million and one different things i wholeheartedly loved through out this book, i’d be writing all day if i started to try and name them all but one of my forever favorite things about this entire series, this book being no different is how many cameos we get thorough out the story of all of the past characters and side characters that we have spent 3 years and four books loving so much. every time a beloved character showed their face it made my heart feel so full to get to see a little of how they are doing in the time since we last saw them.
there is just something so magical about this town and sarah adams writing in general that makes it so hard to want to say goodbye for good, while i am forever excited for what sarah has in store for us next a little piece of my heart will always belong to rome kentucky 🥹
December 28, 2025
2.5 stars
🪷 ˙ ˖
i might be in the minority but i actually enjoyed the first half of this series more than the second. this book wasn’t bad per se, but i just didn’t feel as connected to madison or james as i’d hoped. i also tend to value emotional connection over physical intimacy and this one didn’t quite hit that mark for me.
james is said to have been yearning for madison for years, but there was more telling than showing which made it hard for me to buy into the romance. madison also ended up being my least favourite walker sibling. i genuinely can’t wrap my head around the fact that she’s 30 and can’t tell the difference between a real person and a statue. and the quirky humour was just painful.
that said, i can definitely see readers with different preferences enjoying this book, and even though i’d hoped to end the series on a stronger note, i’ll still look back on it with a lot of fondness.
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the arc!
i might be in the minority but i actually enjoyed the first half of this series more than the second. this book wasn’t bad per se, but i just didn’t feel as connected to madison or james as i’d hoped. i also tend to value emotional connection over physical intimacy and this one didn’t quite hit that mark for me.
james is said to have been yearning for madison for years, but there was more telling than showing which made it hard for me to buy into the romance. madison also ended up being my least favourite walker sibling. i genuinely can’t wrap my head around the fact that she’s 30 and can’t tell the difference between a real person and a statue. and the quirky humour was just painful.
that said, i can definitely see readers with different preferences enjoying this book, and even though i’d hoped to end the series on a stronger note, i’ll still look back on it with a lot of fondness.
ⓘ thank you to netgalley and ballantine for the arc!
Currently reading
December 30, 2025Everything I’ve read of Sarah’s so far has been perfection I’m so excited for this 😍
November 22, 2025
[arc review] I enjoyed this, and while I didn’t love it in the way I thought I would, there are some elements that really worked for the story—and some that ultimately didn’t.
I do want to start off with what I enjoyed, because it was definitely a cute and cozy story that I know a lot of people will love.
madison is a very complex character that—despite appearing as this happy-go-lucky person who goes with the flow and doesn’t let anything bother her—is actually a troubled person who struggles with anxiety and self loathing.
I enjoyed getting to know her beyond the glimpses of her in the other stories, and how james really helped madison become a better version of herself—he didn’t push her to do anything she didn’t want to do, and truly listened to her.
throughout the story he had her best interests at heart, and if she was to ask him to jump, he would always ask how high.
the slow burn really worked—the romance didn’t feel rushed and the characters didn’t get together for the sake of the plot.
letting madison work on becoming the best chef she can be, finding herself, and being more open about things was the best thing that could’ve happened—and I’m glad that was one of the main focal points of the story.
however, the story itself did feel too long by about 50-100 pages—there was a lot of repetitiveness that could’ve been wrapped up sooner.
I also—controversially—didn’t understand why james essentially put his life on hold in hope madison would return to rome. I’m a big fan of yearning, but I just didn’t understand it in this aspect.
madison and james were never friends—and this was said multiple times throughout the book. james was always the quiet and reserved best friend of madison’s brother, noah, that never really entertained anything—including a friendship—with madison when she lived in rome. so I just really struggled to believe he would essentially put his love life on hold for someone who might never return to the town he lives in. sure he tried to date other people, but all he could think about was madison? the same person he never really spoke to?
for me I wish it made more sense, and we saw more glimpses of a friendship between them—because it was made explicitly that they weren’t before madison moved home.
I went into this thinking it would be one of my top reads of 2025, but unfortunately it wasn’t—but I know for a fact a lot of people will love this story when it’s released, and I’m just sad it didn’t resonate with me.
huge thanks to headline eternal for an advance reader copy of ‘in your dreams’! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I do want to start off with what I enjoyed, because it was definitely a cute and cozy story that I know a lot of people will love.
madison is a very complex character that—despite appearing as this happy-go-lucky person who goes with the flow and doesn’t let anything bother her—is actually a troubled person who struggles with anxiety and self loathing.
I enjoyed getting to know her beyond the glimpses of her in the other stories, and how james really helped madison become a better version of herself—he didn’t push her to do anything she didn’t want to do, and truly listened to her.
throughout the story he had her best interests at heart, and if she was to ask him to jump, he would always ask how high.
the slow burn really worked—the romance didn’t feel rushed and the characters didn’t get together for the sake of the plot.
letting madison work on becoming the best chef she can be, finding herself, and being more open about things was the best thing that could’ve happened—and I’m glad that was one of the main focal points of the story.
however, the story itself did feel too long by about 50-100 pages—there was a lot of repetitiveness that could’ve been wrapped up sooner.
I also—controversially—didn’t understand why james essentially put his life on hold in hope madison would return to rome. I’m a big fan of yearning, but I just didn’t understand it in this aspect.
madison and james were never friends—and this was said multiple times throughout the book. james was always the quiet and reserved best friend of madison’s brother, noah, that never really entertained anything—including a friendship—with madison when she lived in rome. so I just really struggled to believe he would essentially put his love life on hold for someone who might never return to the town he lives in. sure he tried to date other people, but all he could think about was madison? the same person he never really spoke to?
for me I wish it made more sense, and we saw more glimpses of a friendship between them—because it was made explicitly that they weren’t before madison moved home.
I went into this thinking it would be one of my top reads of 2025, but unfortunately it wasn’t—but I know for a fact a lot of people will love this story when it’s released, and I’m just sad it didn’t resonate with me.
huge thanks to headline eternal for an advance reader copy of ‘in your dreams’! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 31, 2025
Oh boy, did this guy have it bad! Great writing, awesome setting in Rome, Kentucky. Enjoyed the last book in this series.
November 24, 2025
I’d been wanting to try something by Sarah Adams for a long time, so when I got the ARC, I decided it was the perfect chance to finally do it!
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, and maybe that was the problem, because this one didn’t impress me as much as I’d hoped. I had to reread the blurbs of the earlier books to understand who everyone was, since characters from those stories play an important—though not main—role here.
The book is sweet and light. From the very beginning, you can see exactly where the story is going. Madison dreams of becoming a great chef, and James helps her bring that dream to life. I usually love yearning, but here I didn’t really see the need for it… He loved her for years and did nothing about it?
I also wasn’t a fan of the whole situation with her sister. It felt kind of childish to me.
If you’re looking for something easy and sweet to read in one sitting, this book is for you!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
small town
brother’s best friend
yearning
childhood friends to lovers
open door
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine (Dell) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, and maybe that was the problem, because this one didn’t impress me as much as I’d hoped. I had to reread the blurbs of the earlier books to understand who everyone was, since characters from those stories play an important—though not main—role here.
The book is sweet and light. From the very beginning, you can see exactly where the story is going. Madison dreams of becoming a great chef, and James helps her bring that dream to life. I usually love yearning, but here I didn’t really see the need for it… He loved her for years and did nothing about it?
I also wasn’t a fan of the whole situation with her sister. It felt kind of childish to me.
If you’re looking for something easy and sweet to read in one sitting, this book is for you!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
small town
brother’s best friend
yearning
childhood friends to lovers
open door
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine (Dell) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 30, 2025
Happy Pub Day!
Thank you, Ballantine | Dell, for sending me this ARC! 🖤
Such a cute read. I am such a sucker for anything Sarah Adams writes, and this book was no exception. I love the small town of Rome and how the characters from the prior books trickled into this story. I also loved the MMC and FMC of this book. The plot was fun and, overall, just a cozy read. There is some depth to the storyline, which is always appreciated. I personally think you need "real" life components added to rom coms to make them feel more relatable and realistic.
I definitely recommend this series if you enjoy romcoms.
Pub Date Dec 30 2025
As always, all thoughts are my own! 💫
Thank you, Ballantine | Dell, for sending me this ARC! 🖤
Such a cute read. I am such a sucker for anything Sarah Adams writes, and this book was no exception. I love the small town of Rome and how the characters from the prior books trickled into this story. I also loved the MMC and FMC of this book. The plot was fun and, overall, just a cozy read. There is some depth to the storyline, which is always appreciated. I personally think you need "real" life components added to rom coms to make them feel more relatable and realistic.
I definitely recommend this series if you enjoy romcoms.
Pub Date Dec 30 2025
As always, all thoughts are my own! 💫
January 1, 2026
╰┈➤ 5 stars!
ended the year with a 5-star read 🥹🫶🏼🫧 sarah adams, you never failed to make me fall in love with your books
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pre-read:
got the e-arc days before publishing? need to read this book asap because i’m so sad about the fact that this is the last book of this series!
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pre-release:
you’re telling me rn that this is the last time i’ll go back to rome, kentucky?! i don’t think i’m ready AT ALL for this book series to end 🥹
ended the year with a 5-star read 🥹🫶🏼🫧 sarah adams, you never failed to make me fall in love with your books
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
got the e-arc days before publishing? need to read this book asap because i’m so sad about the fact that this is the last book of this series!
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-release:
you’re telling me rn that this is the last time i’ll go back to rome, kentucky?! i don’t think i’m ready AT ALL for this book series to end 🥹
Want to read
April 9, 2025i haven’t liked any of the sarah adam’s books that i’ve read. but what if this time it’s different? (when it comes out in 2026)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy Release Day!!
4.5 stars
I love this series so much. All the characters are so loveable in their own way and provide unique characteristics that make every book fun in its own way.
Maddie and James were a great combo. You'll never hear me complain about a duo whose love language is roasting. I feel like that could have been ramped a little bit but I loved what was there.
I had some minor issues here and there but these books will hold a special place in my heart. Cannot wait to see what Sarah does next 💚
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 stars
I love this series so much. All the characters are so loveable in their own way and provide unique characteristics that make every book fun in its own way.
Maddie and James were a great combo. You'll never hear me complain about a duo whose love language is roasting. I feel like that could have been ramped a little bit but I loved what was there.
I had some minor issues here and there but these books will hold a special place in my heart. Cannot wait to see what Sarah does next 💚
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
December 22, 2025
4.75 ★ What a wonderful last trip to Rome 🤍 I’ve been anxiously awaiting Madison and James’s story and it didn’t let me down. As always, Sarah’s writing and storytelling is so engaging and kept me glued to the book until I was done. I love this little family and the town of Rome so much, I didn’t want it to end. Madison and James’s romance was so sweet, every little interaction between them had me SQUEALINGGG. Madison’s character growth and her learning to do what makes HER happy and growing into her own person was so special. I could relate to her character a lot. Emily is my number one but I could see a lot of myself in Madison which made this book even more special to me!! James is literally the sweetest, most down bad mmc you’ll read about. The way he loves Madison so fiercely and loudly in his own way had me TEARY. The plot was fun and I loved being back with my favorite group of siblings, especially seeing all the sisters together again. They are so special to me <3 truly such a sweet, heartwarming romance that I’ll return to. Rome can’t get rid of me that easily!! An excellent conclusion to one of the best series 🥹
Want to read
July 19, 2025💚Pre-release:
SHE BROUGHT THE RELEASE DATE CLOSER YAYYY
I cannot wait to go back to this series, Bag barrow or steal was one of my favorites this year I can’t wait for this one!! 🥹🩷🩷
SHE BROUGHT THE RELEASE DATE CLOSER YAYYY
I cannot wait to go back to this series, Bag barrow or steal was one of my favorites this year I can’t wait for this one!! 🥹🩷🩷
December 17, 2025
I refuse to believe that this was a Sarah Adams book! What happened to the author who made me giggle with her tension and banter? Who excelled at writing closed door romances that still brought some heat? She was definitely missing from this book.
Sarah excelled at writing romances with PG-13 vibes. You never felt like you were missing anything by not being open door. Choosing to move to open door was a mistake. She is struggling and is not the same author that she used to be. She moved from having zero language in her books to lots of explicit language and open door scenes that leave me cringing. And I’m not saying she’s struggling for having language and spice. She’s struggling because the transition has been awkward and she’s lost the spark she once had as an author. It feels like she’s trying too hard to stray so far from what she used to write and the plot suffers in the process.
I think it was unfair to her readers to have the first two books in the series be closed door and the last two be open door. While I still enjoyed her last book, which was open door, this one was a huge miss for me. The storyline was bland and the romance did not feel believable. I felt myself incredibly bored. The FMC came across as extremely shallow, and I didn’t buy the MMC’s storyline of pining after her for years and putting his life on hold. Sarah’s books have always made me laugh and smile and I did not laugh once while reading this book. I felt zero connection to the characters and didn’t care what happened to them. It felt like there was zero plot. The MMC also smokes, which felt so unnecessary and bizarre. 😖 Like why? Ew!
What started off as such a strong series unfortunately ended with the weakest book of all. Sarah needs a fresh start and to figure out who exactly she wants her audience to be. In some ways it feels like she has betrayed her original readers who fell in love with her fun closed door romances that were full of humor and tension without the unnecessary explicit language and open door scenes. There is such a need for PG-13 romance books, and so many authors are moving to explicit spice and language. *sigh*
Sadly this will likely be my last Sarah Adams book. Her writing is just simply not what it used to be.
Sarah excelled at writing romances with PG-13 vibes. You never felt like you were missing anything by not being open door. Choosing to move to open door was a mistake. She is struggling and is not the same author that she used to be. She moved from having zero language in her books to lots of explicit language and open door scenes that leave me cringing. And I’m not saying she’s struggling for having language and spice. She’s struggling because the transition has been awkward and she’s lost the spark she once had as an author. It feels like she’s trying too hard to stray so far from what she used to write and the plot suffers in the process.
I think it was unfair to her readers to have the first two books in the series be closed door and the last two be open door. While I still enjoyed her last book, which was open door, this one was a huge miss for me. The storyline was bland and the romance did not feel believable. I felt myself incredibly bored. The FMC came across as extremely shallow, and I didn’t buy the MMC’s storyline of pining after her for years and putting his life on hold. Sarah’s books have always made me laugh and smile and I did not laugh once while reading this book. I felt zero connection to the characters and didn’t care what happened to them. It felt like there was zero plot. The MMC also smokes, which felt so unnecessary and bizarre. 😖 Like why? Ew!
What started off as such a strong series unfortunately ended with the weakest book of all. Sarah needs a fresh start and to figure out who exactly she wants her audience to be. In some ways it feels like she has betrayed her original readers who fell in love with her fun closed door romances that were full of humor and tension without the unnecessary explicit language and open door scenes. There is such a need for PG-13 romance books, and so many authors are moving to explicit spice and language. *sigh*
Sadly this will likely be my last Sarah Adams book. Her writing is just simply not what it used to be.
November 21, 2025
remember when billie eilish sang on birds of a feather that she didn’t wanna say goodbye… well this was me before reading this book, while reading it and even after ending it because the when in rome series’s just the definition of home with the most cozy and lovely vibes ever! it’s the type of series that u don’t expect to be so attached and then these characters just include you in their world and suddenly it’s set and you’re part of this big family. so… thank u sarah adams for welcoming us in rome and let us meet your characters :”).
now… where do we go now? once and a final time in rome because it was time for james and maddie’s story to be revealed and when i tell u that i was waiting for their book since basically the start… it’s absolutely true and once again sarah did it because she’s really delivered with this one and don’t even let me start talking about the ending because it was PERFECT! 😭
i couldn’t have imagined something better :”)
“we're in a snow globe, and james's smile is something i’ll never forget.”
oh james and maddie the delusional types that u were… and especially u james because at least understood her feelings later but better late than never right? the way those two talked and understood each other steps by steps it was truly amazing and heartwarming :) because both of them had their own issues but together they dealt and understood that in the end they would have been alright and that was the most important thing! some scenes were just so simple and at the same time the best ones… and the way i smiled sometimes bc of their reactions to certain situations or just about james being delulu about his jealousy… but these are details :) and i know that u’ll enjoy these moments just as i did!
least but not last… i know that i have already spoke about this family found but the scenes in this specific book were truly even more warm and nostalgic seriously… the chats, their dialogues because yes! we got our couples but reading about them being a family in rome it’s just a different kind of magic that sarah just made and ugh i already want to reread if not the whole series now… at least some scenes… and trust me! i’ll definitely do that :) it’s not my first rodeo ;)
ps: mabel the queen that u are woman!
a truly lot of thanks to netgalley and headline eternal for making my dreams come true and being among one of the lucky readers to have received the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!
now… where do we go now? once and a final time in rome because it was time for james and maddie’s story to be revealed and when i tell u that i was waiting for their book since basically the start… it’s absolutely true and once again sarah did it because she’s really delivered with this one and don’t even let me start talking about the ending because it was PERFECT! 😭
i couldn’t have imagined something better :”)
“we're in a snow globe, and james's smile is something i’ll never forget.”
oh james and maddie the delusional types that u were… and especially u james because at least understood her feelings later but better late than never right? the way those two talked and understood each other steps by steps it was truly amazing and heartwarming :) because both of them had their own issues but together they dealt and understood that in the end they would have been alright and that was the most important thing! some scenes were just so simple and at the same time the best ones… and the way i smiled sometimes bc of their reactions to certain situations or just about james being delulu about his jealousy… but these are details :) and i know that u’ll enjoy these moments just as i did!
least but not last… i know that i have already spoke about this family found but the scenes in this specific book were truly even more warm and nostalgic seriously… the chats, their dialogues because yes! we got our couples but reading about them being a family in rome it’s just a different kind of magic that sarah just made and ugh i already want to reread if not the whole series now… at least some scenes… and trust me! i’ll definitely do that :) it’s not my first rodeo ;)
ps: mabel the queen that u are woman!
a truly lot of thanks to netgalley and headline eternal for making my dreams come true and being among one of the lucky readers to have received the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Currently reading
January 1, 2026ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: Happy New Year everyone!!🩷. This is my first read of 2026 and let’s hope this is a hit for me!!
November 23, 2025
“And what if I want you to chase my wild heart with me sometimes? Will you go? Or is this where you stay—home?” He cups my face, leans down, and kisses me so deeply I already know the answer before he says it. “You’re my home,” he whispers. “I’ll go with you anywhere.
5 ⭐️
[thank you netgalley and headline for the e-arc 💌]
Rome, Kentucky, you will always be loved by me!! Saying goodbye to a beloved series is always bittersweet and never easy. In this small town I’ve found comfort, joy, friendship, love and recognition. I felt cherished and welcomed with open arms.
In this book we finally get Madison and James’s story and it was the perfect way to bring this lovely series to a close. I adored every second of their story, and my only complaint is that I wish it had been longer and had included an epilogue (I love epilogues 😭). Through Madison and James's struggles and successes, I’ve learned that failure doesn’t always equal disappointment; it can actually be an opportunity to learn and improve. It's better to try and fail than not to try at all. I’ve also learned that success isn't linear and doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. We define our own success: doing what you love and being happy is a sign of success. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to ask for help; it's not a sign of weakness or failure. The people who love you want to share your burdens and help make them easier to carry.
Madison is loud, radiant, and her mind works a mile a minute. She’s always moving around and trying new things, and I love that about her. She always thought so lowly of herself and let her failures determine the type of person she was, but little by little, she gained more confidence, started trusting her heart and mind more, and made her own version of success. So what if things don’t always work out the perfect way? Sometimes, the messy way is the best way.
James is a perfect specimen of a man who, of course, only exists in books (if there are any Jameses in the real world, hello! hi! I’m available 😏). He has a PhD in yearning - he’s been in love with Madison for years, and he gave her the restaurant of her dreams just so she could return home with a sense of purpose!! - and he’s the kind of guy who’ll do anything to make the woman he loves happy. He’s a hard worker who doesn’t know how to ask for help (he has to have one minor flaw), but I think he has found a good work-life balance. Life is meant to be lived, and spending time with the people we love is good for the soul.
I loved every moment of tension and longing between Madison and James. It was clear as day that the man was hopelessly in love with her! He knew her better than she knew herself. He believed in her when she didn't, encouraged her to follow her dreams, and trust herself. He listened to everything she said and remembered it all. To be loved like James loves Madison is the dream! How could she not fall in love with him? It was wonderful to watch Madison gradually realise that James was everything she had been looking for. I loved the way they communicated with each other, it was so healthy. Since they knew each other so well, there was no room for silly arguments or misunderstandings.
As always, spending time in Rome was delightful. The Walker family is lovely, and seeing them all happy makes me so happy. Although I’m sad to be leaving the small town of my dreams, my heart is full of joy knowing that they are all happy and in love. I’ll never forget the comfort I’ve found in Sarah Adams’s words, and I’ll certainly be returning to this home whenever I need a warm hug.
𓍯𓂃♡ quotes:
I want to say it’s strange—having my head on his upper chest—but it’s not. If anything, I’m now realizing how strange it is that after all my years of knowing him, this is the first time we’ve ever hugged. I like hearing his heart beat right into my ear. It’s a soothing cadence.
“Friend-friends or not, I know you well, Madison. I know exactly what you’d like in bed. And believe me . . .” I tip a little closer. “I would not be shy about giving you what you wanted.”
She’s just . . . physical, and I’ve always been enamored by it. By her.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind. Suddenly you’re like loud music playing all the time. You’re blaring and I can’t tune you out.”
“I’ve never thought you were ridiculous or annoying. Trouble, yes. But never ridiculous.”
“You think I’m trouble?”
“I know you are, Madison.”
“But you have always been brave enough to throw yourself into whatever it is you love. Even if you’re not naturally good at it. If it inspires you, excites you, you try it. You have more instances of ‘failure’ on your list because you are resilient and you’re not afraid to live—and you’ll likely never know just how inspiring I find you.”
“Yearning doesn’t skim the surface of it. For a decade, I’ve been dying inside, wanting you.”
────୨ৎ────
pre-review: it’s hard to say goodbye to Rome, I love this small town so much 😭😭 I adored every single second of James and Madison’s story, such a beautiful way to end the series. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to characters I love dearly but it fills me with joy knowing they’re all happy and in love 🤍
5 ⭐️
[thank you netgalley and headline for the e-arc 💌]
Rome, Kentucky, you will always be loved by me!! Saying goodbye to a beloved series is always bittersweet and never easy. In this small town I’ve found comfort, joy, friendship, love and recognition. I felt cherished and welcomed with open arms.
❝ All these years growing up together and you think I haven’t been paying attention? ❞
In this book we finally get Madison and James’s story and it was the perfect way to bring this lovely series to a close. I adored every second of their story, and my only complaint is that I wish it had been longer and had included an epilogue (I love epilogues 😭). Through Madison and James's struggles and successes, I’ve learned that failure doesn’t always equal disappointment; it can actually be an opportunity to learn and improve. It's better to try and fail than not to try at all. I’ve also learned that success isn't linear and doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. We define our own success: doing what you love and being happy is a sign of success. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to ask for help; it's not a sign of weakness or failure. The people who love you want to share your burdens and help make them easier to carry.
Madison is loud, radiant, and her mind works a mile a minute. She’s always moving around and trying new things, and I love that about her. She always thought so lowly of herself and let her failures determine the type of person she was, but little by little, she gained more confidence, started trusting her heart and mind more, and made her own version of success. So what if things don’t always work out the perfect way? Sometimes, the messy way is the best way.
❝ “You could try your whole life—really give it your best shot, and you still would never come close to anything but extraordinary. Boring is your antonym.” He gives the belt a little safety tug. “Find another way to live on the wild side.” ❞
James is a perfect specimen of a man who, of course, only exists in books (if there are any Jameses in the real world, hello! hi! I’m available 😏). He has a PhD in yearning - he’s been in love with Madison for years, and he gave her the restaurant of her dreams just so she could return home with a sense of purpose!! - and he’s the kind of guy who’ll do anything to make the woman he loves happy. He’s a hard worker who doesn’t know how to ask for help (he has to have one minor flaw), but I think he has found a good work-life balance. Life is meant to be lived, and spending time with the people we love is good for the soul.
❝ It’s now I realize that I don’t think I’ve ever been with a man like James. Someone who exudes masculinity while embracing tenderness. Care. I think he would be very attentive in bed. ❞
I loved every moment of tension and longing between Madison and James. It was clear as day that the man was hopelessly in love with her! He knew her better than she knew herself. He believed in her when she didn't, encouraged her to follow her dreams, and trust herself. He listened to everything she said and remembered it all. To be loved like James loves Madison is the dream! How could she not fall in love with him? It was wonderful to watch Madison gradually realise that James was everything she had been looking for. I loved the way they communicated with each other, it was so healthy. Since they knew each other so well, there was no room for silly arguments or misunderstandings.
❝ He’s smiling now, holding my face in his huge hands, looking for all the world like he just found treasure. No one has ever looked at me like that before. ❞
As always, spending time in Rome was delightful. The Walker family is lovely, and seeing them all happy makes me so happy. Although I’m sad to be leaving the small town of my dreams, my heart is full of joy knowing that they are all happy and in love. I’ll never forget the comfort I’ve found in Sarah Adams’s words, and I’ll certainly be returning to this home whenever I need a warm hug.
𓍯𓂃♡ quotes:
I want to say it’s strange—having my head on his upper chest—but it’s not. If anything, I’m now realizing how strange it is that after all my years of knowing him, this is the first time we’ve ever hugged. I like hearing his heart beat right into my ear. It’s a soothing cadence.
“Friend-friends or not, I know you well, Madison. I know exactly what you’d like in bed. And believe me . . .” I tip a little closer. “I would not be shy about giving you what you wanted.”
She’s just . . . physical, and I’ve always been enamored by it. By her.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind. Suddenly you’re like loud music playing all the time. You’re blaring and I can’t tune you out.”
“I’ve never thought you were ridiculous or annoying. Trouble, yes. But never ridiculous.”
“You think I’m trouble?”
“I know you are, Madison.”
“But you have always been brave enough to throw yourself into whatever it is you love. Even if you’re not naturally good at it. If it inspires you, excites you, you try it. You have more instances of ‘failure’ on your list because you are resilient and you’re not afraid to live—and you’ll likely never know just how inspiring I find you.”
“Yearning doesn’t skim the surface of it. For a decade, I’ve been dying inside, wanting you.”
────୨ৎ────
pre-review: it’s hard to say goodbye to Rome, I love this small town so much 😭😭 I adored every single second of James and Madison’s story, such a beautiful way to end the series. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to characters I love dearly but it fills me with joy knowing they’re all happy and in love 🤍
Want to read
April 27, 2025One last trip back to Rome, Kentucky. 🫶🏻🥹
Want to read
July 16, 2025mother writes = i read 🙂↕️
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